Chapter 10: A team is born
Luke grumbles as his vision fades back to him. It's white, but it's just the white of the ceiling. He leans up and rests his arm on his knee, he's back on his bed in the room him and Jace live in. He glances to the corner, Henry is slumped over and snoring. Looking over to Jace, he's in his bed also asleep. He has some bandages on his neck after last night's fight. Luke steps onto the cold, tile floor and heads for the door. Before leaving, he looks at Henry again.
Luke: "Thank you."
He leaves for the tavern and a few hours pass before Jace wakes up. He does the same as Luke, thanking Henry and walking to the tavern. By the mid-afternoon, Henry finally wakes up. He grumbles and shuffles into the tavern.
Henry: "Why aren't you two resting?"
Jace: "I don't wanna."
Henry sits down next to the two. He orders a black coffee.
Luke: "It's 3pm."
Henry: "I just woke up. I want the caffeine."
Jace: "How are you feeling?"
Henry: "Me? I'm fine. I should be asking you two if you're both okay."
Jace: "Honestly? I've been worse."
Luke: "My head hurts."
Henry: "I'm sorry for last night. I actually did end up betraying your trust and almost got you two killed."
Jace: "Hey, you still tried to save me. If you were truly scheming something, you would've left us for dead."
Henry: "You know I'm being sincere?"
Luke: "You wouldn't have slept in our room unless you wanted to protect us. Anyone else would've left, possibly killed us there so your mission was still somehow a success."
Henry: "No, I would've still slept in your room even if I wanted to kill you two. I wouldn't have come out here to apologize if I didn't mean it."
Jace: "Aww, you do care."
Henry: "Right, so what's the plan now?"
Luke: "You tell us. You got us into last night's predicament, surely you can get us into another one."
Jace: "That was the closest we've gotten to Breakdown though! A few more floors and we would've seen him."
Henry: "We could always try again."
Luke scoffs and Henry shrugs. They take a second to think of more ideas. One of the bartenders turns up the TV behind them and they overhear the broadcast. It's an announcement and a reminder that tonight is the opening of a new art exhibit. Only the best and the fanciest are allowed to attend, with the camera then switching to a blonde man in a light blue suit.
???: "I am so honored to be the host of tonight's event! I have spent my entire life grinding and fighting for this moment. I do hope everyone who attends has a splendid time and to those who don't, tune into the live-stream!"
Henry's eyes light up and he grits his teeth. His nails dig into the wooden table.
Henry: "That fucking. That son of a. That goddamn...Breakdown."
Jace: "That's him?!"
Jace stands up and focuses on the TV.
Breakdown: "For those who still do not know, this new exhibit will be opening at the Bluestone Great Hall. I'm sure you'll be able to tell from the spotlights and headlights."
Jace: "Oh, there's no way!"
Luke: "There's a Great Hall? What even is a Great Hall?"
Jace: "You've never been? It's a HUGE hallway that splits off into all sorts of different hallways with each of them being about anything the mind can imagine!
Luke: "I'm not from here. Also, that sounds absurd."
Jace: "That explains the hatred for the beach, but you can't ignore the absurdity I have in my brain right now. Get ready for this scheme."
Henry glances to Luke and points at Jace.
Henry: "Does he do this often?"
Luke: "I...actually couldn't tell you."
Jace: "Okay! So, we crash the party."
Luke: "Get the fuck out."
Jace: "Hang on! There's a massive sky-light right above the main hall. We drop there and immediately gun for Breakdown. There's three of us and one of him. Henry shit-talks him every second he can, so he must be a pushover!"
Henry: "He's not a pushover. He has done some fighting to reach where he is, just not the fighting we're used to. He's greedy and impulsive, but not stupid."
Luke: "You wanna talk impulsive? Mr. Lightbulb over here thinks we should ruin the largest party of the year!"
Henry: "I honestly think it's pretty badass and way more fun then sneaking you bums around."
Jace: "It also gets rid of the chance we encounter someone before Breakdown. We run in, thrash his ass, and get our info outta him!"
Henry: "You lost me at thrashing asses. What time do we meet up?"
Luke: "We're seriously not doing this...are we?"
Jace: "Oh, hell yeah we are!"